Day 51, Miles Ridden Today: 16 Miles Ridden Overall: 1,967 Camping: $0 We are staying overnight at New Paltz BMX compliments of the track, Thanks! - to track online our current location, see instructions on the Ride the Nation Route plan page- also, follow us on Twitter, search “ridethenation”- check out our Monday blog on www.bmxmania.com for exclusive details you won’t find here. (Fyi, sometimes our Monday blog doesn’t appear until Wednesday … so check back often)

We tried to break camp quickly this morning, mostly because the bugs were overwhelming. I think they liked the taste of our bug repellant! The Beast and Coco took down the tent while I set up the camp stove. Soon after I started boiling water for coffee and oatmeal, we discovered that our camp fuel had run out. Oops! I forgot to pick up more during a recent Walmart stop. I dug through our kitchen bag and found enough bagels and peanut butter to make a half way healthy breakfast. Neither Frankenbutt nor the Beast looked too excitedly at their breakfast … especially when Frankenbutt realized there would be no coffee “fix”. We all agreed to pack up and ride down to the little overpriced bakery and see if they had coffee and something additional for breakfast. They did. We enjoyed blueberry and chocolate chunk muffins on their patio while Coco lied on the cool slate. When we checked our GPS and Google maps, we were all surprised to find that the distance to the New Paltz BMX track was only 16 miles. When we spoke with the owners of the bike shop yesterday, they suggested a route and it was basically the same route our GPS gave so we followed Route 209 North to Lucas Turnpike to 213 East and into the town of Rosendale.

Rosendale was charming AND had a bike shop! We stopped into Table Top Tours Bicycles and were greeted by their 4 legged resident, Greta. Coco loves big dogs so she couldn’t wait to get out of her trailer and meet Greta. The owners came outside and explained that Greta is very mild mannered and loves to play so we let the two get to know each other.

Before long, we all wandered inside to find some really cool bike stuff and a very laid back and friendly staff. How could they not be?? They are dog lovers and bicyclists! Greta was quite kind and shared her water bowl with Coco … a bowl the size of which Coco had never seen!

Once they were both hydrated, the fun began. Greta enticed Coco to play chase and soon Coco turned the tables on the big Rotweiler and had Greta running in circles. They pounced on and jumped around one another until Coco was worn out and decided to sprawl out on the cool concrete floor. Greta hadn’t quite gotten her fill of horseplay and coaxed Coco into a little more rough housing before we had to get back on our bikes. Fyi, we had stopped to find the Beast a different pair of riding gloves since hers are falling apart. I’m disappointed at how much of a beating our gear has taken. Of course, we used a lot of our riding gear and clothing during our training period, but we’ve all found the amount of sun damage to be much more than we expected. Our clothes are faded and worn not to mention the stains from the repeated applications of sun block and bug spray. But … our gear is essential to keeping us comfortable and rolling. Soooo, the Beast has a new pair of gloves … and Frankenbutt recently replaced his gloves after losing one … we also replaced the Beast’s mirror … and the unexpected expenses mount. We got back on our bikes and continued to ride in the 98 degree weather. Although the heat felt unbearable when we stood still, it was quite manageable as long as we were rolling. Unfortunately, if we slow to less than 5 mph, the bugs take that as a sign that we want to be swarmed and harassed. Don Wagner (NBL Race official) has promised to hook me up with better bug spray. YEAH! We arrived at the New Paltz track mid-day and although I was sweaty, Barb Patterson greeted me with a big hug. We enjoyed some down time talking about BMX and all the changes ahead for our sport. The Wagners pulled in with the NBL trailer and we all caught up with one another over lunch , compliments of Jerry and Barb Patterson. When we arrived back at the track, we decided to get our tent up and our panniers in since the weather report forecast thunderstorms. No sooner had we finished than the rain started. We all retreated to the track office where the phone rang again and again with riders looking for an official word as to whether the scheduled race would be held tonight. The Beast helped with answering the phones and was quite professional. I almost didn’t recognize her “receptionist voice”. I like that she can put on different shoes and fill in where she’s needed.

While standing in the office, a cool local BMXer named Kyle joined in the conversation about taking big adventures, like our bike ride. Mid-discussion, his BMX buddies were busting on him for his “tree climbing” feet. As I looked around, I noticed that he did have rather long toes … toes that I had to photograph!

Just wanted you to know that we really enjoyed meeting your whole family..Hope your journey continues well..It's great to meet people that believe in the simple things that GOD intended us to enjoy!!
Terry & Pat

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Andrew Berry

6/9/2011 09:58:01 pm

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Andrew Berry

6/9/2011 09:58:51 pm

ive planned my route and im leaving in about a month and a half

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A BMX mom and First Time Blogger who loves travelling, playing poker and laughing every day!